Medal of Honor recipient and war hero, Sgt. John Baker, Jr. has died at his home in South Carolina. Baker's family says the Vietnam war veteran and Quad City native died Friday with his wife by his side. Baker was awarded the medal of honor in 1968.
He was honored in 2010 when the Interstate 280 Bridge over the Mississippi River was renamed the John F. Baker, Jr Bridge, and a monument was dedicated in his honor, which sits in front of Jumer's Casino and Hotel in Rock island.
Despite all of his honors, his family says they will remember his courage, strength, and love the most.
John Baker's family says everyone that knew him, knew John was a truly outstanding man. John's youngest sister Gloria Helfrich says John always described himself as just an "ordinary" guy, but to everyone else, he was extraordinary.
"Johnny was a hero, I mean to me he has always been a hero, but to anybody who ever met him he was a hero. But he was a very unassuming person," said Gloria.
John was awarded the medal of honor for bravery, selfless heroism and unwavering spirit during combat. He risked his life many times for fellow soldiers, and never thought of himself as a hero.
"He just said, he just did what anyone else would do and he wanted everybody to know that medal of honor was for all of the veterans, he was just the keeper of that medal," said Gloria.
As generations of John's family shared stories about him and celebrated his life today, his sister says they will always remember his story and honor, knowing the world was better with John Baker, Jr. in it.
"He was a wonderful person, the world certainly was better from people like Johnny, you know he did this for all of us, without him we wouldn't have the freedoms we have and I just think that is remarkable. I had a wonderful brother and I loved him much," said Gloria.
John's family says they hope that Quad Citians will start referring to the I-280 bridge by it's correct name, the "John Baker, Junior Bridge" or even the "Baker Bridge."
His sister Gloria went on to explain that for anyone who didn't know John, or didn't have the chance to meet him, they truly missed out on a remarkable person.
